2023 Nissan Kicks

Subcompact SUVs are an easy foot in the door if you're hoping to switch from a car to a sport utility vehicle. With its small footprint comes an affordable price tag, but that doesn't mean the pint-sized Nissan Kicks is basic. With a good list of standard features and a city-centric powertrain, the Kicks faces off against other scaled-down crossovers in the USA like the Mazda CX-30 and even the Jeep Renegade, with the latter offering off-road capability as its party trick. So what makes the Kicks stand out? The Nissan Kicks is still in its first generation, and its cute looks and affordable cost have lured many customers to the Nissan brand, but with a less-than-potent, 1.6 naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing only 122 horsepower, and a few cheap interior bits, can this Japanese family carrier stand up to class contenders that offer more in terms of power and refinement?

The Nissan Kicks is priced well below established competitors such as the Mazda CX-30 and Jeep Renegade, making it all the more attractive for young buyers trying to navigate the economic hellscape that we have to deal with post-pandemic. With an MSRP of just $20,290, the base model is one of the most affordable crossovers on the market and is followed by the SV at $22,150 and the SR at $22,850. These prices do not include tax, registration, or a destination fee of $1,225.

The small dimensions, relatively low curb weight, and rev-happy engine in the 2023 Kicks make it a joy to drive around the city. With light steering and a tight turning circle, the Kicks makes quick work of even the most cramped parking spaces and traffic. The soft-tuned suspension soaks up low-speed bumps and is tuned for comfort over sportiness, so don't expect to be thrilled from behind the wheel. Drive this car at higher speeds through twisty bends, and its limitations will quickly come to the fore. The same can be said for highway driving; the Kicks is quiet and well-behaved on the open road but requires the driver to rev out that small four-cylinder engine to get anywhere with real speed. Still, it's user-friendly in a point-and-shoot kind of way, making it an ideal starter car.

Everyone wants to get behind the wheel of a crossover these days, and the 2023 Nissan Kicks makes it easier than ever to live the wholesome family SUV lifestyle. With an affordable price tag and a features list that covers the important bases, the little Kicks makes a lot of sense for those shopping on a budget. The Kicks comes with a good amount of standard driver assistance tech, an excellent fuel economy rating, and a practical cabin, but there's always a catch. Because of budget restrictions, you're left with some cheap materials inside the cabin and a powertrain that won't wow you - some competitors leave the Nissan Kicks in the dust in this regard. But safety reviews for the Nissan Kicks are good and reliability expectations are high. The few niggles that do exist are a small price to pay for what is otherwise a wholly practical and user-friendly little crossover that will get the job done every day of the week.

With only a couple of grand separating the base model from the Kicks SR, we'd advise you to just go for the range-topper. The SR is powered by the same 1.6-liter engine but adds many more features inside and out. The most notable upgrades over the S include LED headlights and alloy wheels on the exterior. At the same time, the interior gets a larger eight-inch display, a leather steering wheel, cloth seats with orange accent stitching, and a surround-view camera system. The SR's standard driver-assistance features include intelligent cruise control, automatic braking hold, and intelligent driver alert assist.